Abstract: The product of and a process for forming a metal composite comprising particles of a carbon allotrope dispersed in a metal or a mixture of metals.

Abstract: A process for making carbon black is described by pyrolizing unsulfonated lignin or by pyrolizing aromatic monomers formed by hydrolyzing a biomass comprising unsulfonated lignin.

Abstract: The product of and a process for forming a metal composite comprising particles of a carbon allotrope dispersed in a metal or a mixture of metals.

Abstract: A thermal method for studying chemical responses, such as catalyzed polymerization reactions that includes the following three steps. The first step is to flow a chemical substance through a conduit, the conduit being in thermal communication with an electrical conductor, the electrical conductor being co-linear with the conduit, the electrical resistance of the electrical conductor being a function of the temperature of the electrical conductor. A length of stainless steel tubing can be used as both the conduit and the conductor. The second step is to flow electricity through the electrical conductor during the first step. The third step is to measure the electrical resistance of the electrical conductor during the second step to determine any change in the temperature of the conduit caused by a response of the chemical substance.

Abstract: The instant invention is a method for optimizing material transformation that includes the following six steps. The first step is to identify at least one physical variable that affects performance of a continuous unit operation for the material transformation. The second step is to select an initial set point of the at least one physical variable. The third step is to continuously perform the unit operation to produce a transformed material. The fourth step is to analyze the product to determine at least one component of interest of the transformed material. The fifth step is to select a subsequent set point of the at least one physical variable based on the analysis of the fourth step. The last step is to repeat steps three to five a sufficient number of times to optimize the unit operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for simultaneously determining particle concentration and velocity in multi-phase streams. These determinations may be made by use of a fiber optic probe that establishes an illuminated sensing zone of finite dimensions. The probe collects light backscattered from the zone at discrete points in time. The collected light is converted to a voltage waveform. By taking the mean of the voltage values, concentration can be determined, and, by taking a derivative of the voltage waveform, the velocity can be determined.

Abstract: The presence and concentration of a light absorbing constituent in a fluid medium is determined in-situ by immersing in such medium a probe having a prism at one end whose refractive index is greater than that of the medium and causing light including a wavelength absorbable by such constituent to traverse an optical path through the prism and undergo successive attenuated total reflections. At each reflection some of the light will be absorbed by the constituent. The intensity of light emerging from the prism is measured at one or more wavelengths, including one absorbable by such constituent. The concentration of the constituent is determined by comparison of the measured intensity with values obtained from like measurements performed on like mediums containing known concentrations of the constituent.

Abstract: A method for determining the size of moving objects present in a transparent or translucent fluid medium comprises illuminating a zone of the suspension with monochromatic light, collecting scattered light having a wavelength characteristic of the objects or of the medium, and measuring the intensity and variations in intensity of the collected light. The data thus obtained may be compared with data obtained from corresponding measurements of corresponding mediums containing corresponding objects of known size.

Abstract: A method for determining the onset of nucleation wherein a zone of a translucent fluid in which crystals may be formed is illuminated by a beam of light. When crystallization commences the crystals in the illuminated zone reflect and scatter light. Some of the scattered light is collected and transmitted to a light sensitive detector operable to generate a signal indicative of nucleation. Upon detection of nucleation either manual or automatic procedures may be instituted to modify the crystallization process in an appropriate manner.

Abstract: The concentration of larger particles in a suspension of relatively small and relatively large light scattering particles is determined by illuminating a zone of the suspension with light of such wavelength as to be scattered more efficiently by the larger particles than by the smaller particles. The scattered light is collected and its intensity measured. The value of the collected light intensity then is compared with the corresponding value of the same wavelength light scattered by corresponding suspensions containing known concentrations of particles.